Mark's back!

After 2 years MIA, finally I am back to blog.

Life is dynamic. Like waves in the sea. It seems constant and identical day in day out. But if you look carefully, the waves never the same. We never know the next one will be strong or just a little agitation.

My life has been completely turned. With 2 little devils taking up most of my attention, eating has become so basic for me. The taste, the texture, the sense and the color was hardly noticed. Speed is the point to fill up my stomach before the devils swing their mood.

Since receding in Jakarta few months ago, life has been stabilized. Hence, i think it's time to Mark's Makan for a new venture.

Crown Plaza @ Changi

Estern Promise @ Kemang Jakarta

Somebody put our office in Southern of Jakarta. So I got to stay around the area most of the time when I ever there. It is way from the city center, so a little peace and quiet. 

Kong Fu Beehun @ Jakarta

Once upon a time, someone told me that Chinese is everywhere on earth. I did not believe as I could not see them present everywhere that obvious.

Maybe they are humble to keep their head low. Maybe they are just busy earning food to survive at every corner here and there. Or maybe most of them already lost their root to become the new kind of citizen elsewhere.

Vientien Breakfast Hunt

This usually happen to us and always happen to me. When I started to enjoy myself, it is always the end and time to go.

Why climax always happen towards the end? It happen like that so that we will remember that and miss it. And then you will want to have it again and again.

Street Food @ Vientiene

Some street food I found in Vientiene.

Delicious Dinner @ Vang Vieng

When I submitted my leave application, my boss was quite surprised I am going to Laos. He said normally Asian do not vacation in such places. He however love the country.

A French base in Bangkok, he always brings his family to these under develop places to appreciate life. I share the same thought.

Breakfast @ Bansuan Hotel, Vang Vieng

We need to pay for our breakfast in the hotel we stayed. USD 15 per room is sure without breakfast included.

But we had our breakfast at the same spot every morning.

I just love the food, the soup, the scenery and the cat.

Banana Pancake @ Vang Vieng

Very similar to our roti pisang, just a little less oily and crispy.
I more prefer roti canai.

Beer Lao @ Vang Vieng

It all started when I was looking for a trip during recent Chinese New Year with my family. Many places was being raised and discussed on the round table. And you can guess the discussion was somehow very close to typical corporate meeting. Lots of talking but no final conclusion.

I booked tickets to Vientian few days later and the rest was history.

Why Vientian and why Vang Vieng?

Me too have never heard about Vang Vieng until sister mentioned to us.

Food Hunt @ Melaka

1 weekend, 2 cars, 9 peoples, 1 destination, Melaka.

Had a prawn noodle (surprising good) at road side towards the Jonker's Street after suffering massive jam.

Sawadeekarp, again #8

Its time to go back. My sister still hopping the flight will be delay so she might have a little extra time to shop.

This is insane.

Sawadeekarp, again #7

Thai Pizza. Not cheap for a set, but something different.

Localized pizza house.

Sawadeekarp, again #6

Street food, not only cheap but unique. Let you understand and experience what local is eating.

Taste Thai, live Thai and love Thai.

BBQs everywhere.

Sawadeekarp, again #5

Ladies, beside Chatuchak, what other places in Bangkok you like most?
Err... careful, I am asking ladies. So Patpong is incorrect, neither Suhkomvit.

Pratunam, yes, the magic place. I am sure honey, when you read this word: Pra-tu-nam, your eye sure spark. And it sure come with lots of regrets because you missed the laced skirt with only 99 Bath. You thought you will come back, but you never find the place because its so huge and full of other colorful clothes. No time to go back either.

Pratunam is a place full of non branded, non pirated, super cheap fashion. It is basically a sea full of woman (and men, a little) clothes and dresses, and shoes, and bags, and...

I thought I am a fairly good hunter for food. But I am no way near the professionalism of the fashion hunters. I am just like a kid (I thought) in front of those "master". I could not possible spot my shirt among thousands of very similar shirts, in a split second. I think it needs great skill, determination and passion.

Okay, back to business, any good food at Pratunam?

This "Kon Lou Mee" Chinese dry noddle shop situated opposite Platinum Mall serves pretty good noodle.

I love the shop because the owner seems supporting the same team with me: ManU!

Sawadeekarp, again #4

Don't know is it because of too hungry (after a long journey to the floating market), or Tesco food really suit our taste. We found these really delicious!

Unbelievable?

Well, sometime eating with happy, hungry, and sharing atmosphere do spark a little.

Macaroni.

Sawadeekarp, again #3

Well, 3rd episode. Let's get serious.

These are the food we enjoyed during the stay. Its cheap and tasty.

Thai loves BBQ, so do I. Sometime I though I should born as a Thai.

But if that happen, you might see me twice the size I am now. Sawadeekarp!

Our local hired guide brought us to this simple restaurant. Simple Thai dinner with lots of learning, how to eat and how to speak Thai.

Sawadeekarp, again #2

Chatuchak weekend market, the largest market in Thailand and in the world.

Its huge, really really huge. You can find almost everything there. From basic clothes, utensil, books to pets, what it pops in your mind, you see it there. It's the mother of all pasar. And the hottest of all pasar.

Men goes there: "Walau... looks like it will be hell of a shopping day."

Lady saw the magnitude:" Yes!... looks like it will be "hell" of a shopping day."

Same words but different tones. And you definitely know which tone I used. Walau....

BBQ pork ribs everywhere. Looks deliciously unhealthy.

Sawadeekarp, again #1

Travel to Bangkok is always enjoyable. Not only its heaven for men (?). But for us food hunter, its full of surprise.

Its cheap, its tasty and its special!

Pan frying seafood with egg.

Ryo Zan Tei @ Bukit Tinggi

What to have in this peaceful, relaxing Bukit Tinggi?